Macadamia oil (or Macadamia nut oil) is the non-volatile oil expressed from the nut meat of the macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) tree, a native Australian nut. Macadamia oil is sometimes used in food as a frying or salad oil, and in cosmetic formulations as an emollient or fragrance fixative.

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia is a genus of nine species of flowering plants in the family Proteaceae, with a disjunct distribution native to eastern Australia(seven species), New Caledonia (one species M. neurophylla) and Sulawesi in Indonesia (one species, M. hildebrandii).

They are small to large evergreen trees growing to 2–12 m tall. The leaves are arranged in whorls of three to six, lanceolate to obovate or elliptical in shape, 6–30 cm long and 2–13 cm broad, with an entire or spiny-serrated margin. The flowers are produced in a long slender simple raceme 5–30 cm long, the individual flowers 10–15 mm long, white to pink or purple, with four tepals. The fruit is a very hard woody globose follicle with a pointed apex, containing one or two seeds.

The genus is named after John Macadam, a colleague of botanist Ferdinand von Mueller, who first described the genus. Common names include Macadamia, Macadamia nut, Queensland nut, Bush nut, Maroochi nut, Queen of Nuts and bauple nut; Indigenous Australian names include gyndl, jindilli, and boombera.

Macadamias are considered the world’s finest nut because of its delicious flavor and crunchy texture.

Macadamia nuts are one of the very few plants that contain palmitoleic acid, also known as omega 7, a monounsaturated fatty acid that works to lower cholesterol, reducing your risk of heart disease. Some studies have also suggested that palmitoleic acid may also affect your body's metabolism, curbing your appetite and helping you burn fat faster. Palmitoleic acid is also important for skin health.

Macadamias contain significant levels of protein which our body needs to form and repair muscle and connective tissues, it is also important in blood plasma development. The protein in macadamias comprises of essential and non- essential amino acids.

Macadamia nuts also contain vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that protects the cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Vitamin E also helps heal wounds, delayed premature wrinkling of skin and may reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease.

Macadamias is rich in calcium which is the major component in bone, bone formation and teeth. It also plays an important part in many other body processes.

Macadamia nuts are an excellent source of thiamin (vitamin B1), 1 cup of macadamia nuts provides over 100 percent of your daily thiamin requirement. Thiamin is necessary for converting carbohydrates into energy and for maintaining the health of the nervous system.

Macadamias is a good source of magnesium which is important in nervous activity and muscle contraction.

Macadamia Nut Oil

Macadamia oil contains approximately 60% oleic acid, 19% palmitoleic acid, 1-3% Linoleic acid and 1-2% Linolenic acid. Some varieties contain roughly equal omega-6 and omega-3. Although macadamia is cultivated in many different parts of the world, the oil's fatty acid profile is not greatly influenced by environmental factors. The oil displays chemical properties typical of a vegetable triglyceride oil. It is also very stable due to its low polyunsaturated fat content. Macadamia oil is liquid at room temperature. The refined oil is clear, lightly amber-colored with a slightly nutty odour. It is possible to refine it to complete transparency, but the faint odour of macadamia nuts remains.

It also contains the highest level of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat (85%) of all the edible oils, 2% polyunsaturated fat and an incredibly low 2.2 grams of saturated fat, Now Macadamia Nut Oil has one of the healthiest unsaturated to saturated fat ratios, even greater than that of olive oil.. It also has an exact balance of omega-3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Due to the high level of antioxidants rancidity is slowed and this oil can be stored for up to two years without refrigeration.

Macadamia nut oil nutrition value lies in the fact that it maintains the optimum level of cholesterol in the body and reduces the risk of heart diseases. Macadamia nut oil is rich in oleic acid, the main fatty acid in olive oil that contributes to its healthy properties. Besides this, macadamia nut oil has linoleic acid, linolenic acid, Omega-3 essential fatty acid, Omega-6 fatty acid and also palmitoleic acid. All these pushes the levels of monounsaturated fatty acids a few points higher in macadamia nut oil than in olive oil. Macadamia nut oil health benefits does not end here. The oleic acid in macadamia nut oil has anti-inflammatory properties that makes it effective in fighting against chronic diseases. Besides the monounsaturated fatty acids, macadamia oil is also a rich source of calcium, vitamin B complex and minerals like phosphorus and iron.

Uses in foodMacadamia oil has become very popular in Modern Australian cuisine. It is an excellent frying oil due to its high heat capacity. Most brands are cold-pressed It has the same buttery rich flavor as the nuts. It is used in salads, in cooking, and as a seasoning. Macadamia nut oil has a high smoke point which makes it an excellent choice for frying and sautéing. Several properties of macadamia oil are particularly important for use as an edible oil:

It contains up to 85% monounsaturated fats,has an unrefrigerated shelf life of one to two years, anda smoke point of 410°F.

Uses in cosmeticsMacadamia oil's rich, cushiony skinfeel and high oxidative stability make it especially suitable for heavy creams and suncare formulations. Derivatives of Macadamia oil in cosmetics include the light emollient Ethyl Macadamiate and water soluble PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides.Macadamia oil is an excellent botanical replacement for mink oil in most applications. Macadamia oil's INCI name is Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil.

Macadamia Nut Oil Uses for SkinMacadamia nut oil is a stable oil that is good for all skin types. However, it is specially beneficial for dry and mature skin due to its high concentration of palmitoleic acid. In fact, this oil has the highest amount of palmitoleic acid than any other plant oil. This acid is naturally present in human sebum of young individuals. However, the amount reduces considerably as one ages. Hence, this oil is specially useful for the skin of old people. It softens and moisturizes the skin and also helps in healing mild wounds. This oil is absorbed very easily by the skin and the scalp and helps the cells to rejuvenate. It prevents sunburns and also helps the skin retain its moisture. It has lower oral toxicity, due to which it finds use in cosmetics, balms and lip glosses. Besides the aforementioned benefits of macadamia oil for skin, this oil also acts as an anti-oxidant. It prevents damage to skin cells by free radicals that leave the tell-tale signs of aging on the skin. Macadamia nut oil skin care is also attributed to its high vitamin E content. Its light and non-greasy quality makes macadamia nut oil for hair a preferred choice for many.

In France Macadamia Nut Oil is used as an aid against sunburn. Macadamia's fatty acids are helpful in maintaining the skin's critical water barrier functions.

Macadamia nut oil benefits find ground in the fact that for thousands of years the Australian aborigines consumed the nut for its nutritional benefits. In the present times we are spoilt for choice of taste. However, here also the macadamia nut oil finds place as not only it is good for the heart, but it also wins favor with our taste buds.

Disclaimer: This website is for information purposes only. By providing the information contained herein we are not diagnosing, treating, curing, mitigating, or preventing any type of disease or medical condition. Before beginning any type of natural, integrative or conventional treatment regime, it is advisible to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.